5 Ways to Keep Your Gums Healthy

Most people know that visiting your dentist regularly is important for healthy teeth. We all want our smiles to look inviting, but one important part of your mouth is often left out of consideration: the gums.

Maintaining gum health is important to your overall health. Studies have found that there is a link between gum disease and heart disease. Heart disease is one of the deadliest diseases, so keeping up with gum health is one small way that you may be able to help deter the negative effects of heart disease in the future.

Gum disease can exacerbate tooth decay, which can be costly and painful to deal with if left untreated. Having to have dead or decayed teeth pulled can have negative impacts on your overall health if you can’t eat fibrous fruits and vegetables without pain. You’ll be missing out on key nutrients! Having to get teeth pulled also has negative impacts on your emotional and mental health. It’s better for your health, wallet and mind to keep your gums healthy.

Taking care of your gums does not have to be difficult. Here are five different ways that you can keep your gums healthy.

Brush Your Teeth Twice Per Day

Ideally, you should brush your teeth after every meal, however brushing twice per day has been shown to help reduce gum disease. It’s not enough to merely brush your teeth though, make sure that you are taking the toothbrush along your gum line and massaging your gums as you go.

Floss At Least Once Per Day

Flossing isn’t pleasant when your gums are easily irritated. Many stop flossing after a few tries due to irritated or bleeding gums. Gum disease can be painful at first but it is reversible with daily flossing. Ask your dental hygienist at Stoneycreek Village Dental to help show you the right way to floss for maximum benefit. With continuous flossing you will notice improvement in the colour of your gums and less bleeding.

Quit Smoking

We all know that our risk of lung cancer is drastically reduced when we quit smoking. Another benefit to quitting is that gum health can improve. Smoking cigarettes is one of the leading causes of periodontal disease. The dental associates at Stoneycreek Village Dental can help you come up with a plan to quit smoking so that the damage to your oral health is minimized.

Be Conscious of What You Eat

Eating certain foods will help or hurt your oral health. Eating foods that are high in calcium will help maintain the health of your gums and teeth. However, eating sugary or sticky snacks may be a contributing factor to gum disease.

Visit Your Dentist Regularly

One of the most important things you can do to improve gum health is to keep up with your dental cleanings. Dentists can pick up on early signs of gum disease and prescribe treatment to reverse and prevent it. If you are looking for a Fort McMurray dentist, stop by Stoneycreek Village Dental to begin your journey to a healthier smile!

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